game 1 of 2

noun

ˈgām How to pronounce game (audio)
Definition of gamenext
1
as in tournament
a competitive encounter between individuals or groups carried on for amusement, exercise, or in pursuit of a prize decided he would indulge in a friendly basketball game with his friends before dinner

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in strategy
a method worked out in advance for achieving some objective the crook told his accomplice, "Here's the game: look surprised when the police ask about the money"

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in play
an attitude or manner not to be taken seriously there's no need to get upset, all our teasing is only a game

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in profession
the activity by which one regularly makes a living stand-up comedy is his game, and he's one of a handful of people making a decent living at it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in area
a region of activity, knowledge, or influence the education game simply was no longer of interest to her

Synonyms & Similar Words

game

2 of 2

adjective

as in ready
having a desire or inclination (as for a specified course of action) are you game for going out tonight?

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun game differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of game are fun, jest, play, and sport. While all these words mean "action or speech that provides amusement or arouses laughter," game is close to sport, and often stresses mischievous or malicious fun.

made game of their poor relations

When could fun be used to replace game?

While in some cases nearly identical to game, fun usually implies laughter or gaiety but may imply merely a lack of serious or ulterior purpose.

played cards just for fun

When can jest be used instead of game?

While the synonyms jest and game are close in meaning, jest implies lack of earnestness and may suggest a hoaxing or teasing.

hurt by remarks said only in jest

When is play a more appropriate choice than game?

The synonyms play and game are sometimes interchangeable, but play stresses the opposition to earnest without implying any malice or mischief.

pretended to strangle his brother in play

When might sport be a better fit than game?

The meanings of sport and game largely overlap; however, sport applies especially to the arousing of laughter against someone.

teasing begun in sport led to anger

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of game
Noun
Rams left tackle Alaric Jackson’s suspension for punching a Buffalo Bills player after a game has been reduced from two games to one, an NFL spokesman said Wednesday. — Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026 The spectators ran onto the field, as if at the end of a football game. — Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2026
Adjective
The football program described the In-N-Out as the team’s main post-game hangout after home games. — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 30 Sep. 2026 Hafley subsequently provided a grim update in his post-game press conference. — Miami Herald, 28 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for game
Recent Examples of Synonyms for game
  1. tournament
  2. strategy
  3. play
  4. profession
  5. area
  6. ready
  7. competition
  8. plan
Noun
  • Families spend thousands on travel teams, private lessons and tournaments.
    — Jonathan Alpert OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The campaign held a two-day event for forum members this month at a casino that included a video game tournament, panel discussions and speeches.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of tournament
Noun
  • Saujet developed its brand strategy and creative expression in partnership with Studio ALIFFI, founded by former chief brand officer of Neiman Marcus Nabil Aliffi.
    — Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • This work evidences both a moral courage and brash authority on Simon’s part and speaks to the deep ethical complexity of her concerns and strategies as an artist.
    — Stephanie Wambugu, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of strategy
Noun
  • Major reports about its immigration actions and pay-for-play operations have gotten significant airtime on the network and praise from Weiss.
    — semafor.com, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Armstrong, appearing in his first NFL game as a rookie out of Cincinnati, hauled in a catch with an athletic play over the middle for 13 yards and a first down.
    — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of play
Noun
  • Licenses are required for certain professions, such as cosmetologists and barbers.
    — Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • While talk of brand deals and hairstyling as a profession are natural assumptions as next steps post-college, Huettl says that for now, this is just a fun hobby.
    — Audrey Noble, Vogue, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of profession
Noun
  • In all these areas, the traditional aid system is falling short.
    — David Miliband, Time, 19 Oct. 2026
  • The area, 2 miles south of the White House, has been at the center of a heated legal battle for months.
    — Andrew Limbong, NPR, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of area
Adjective
  • Tajdar Amrohi says that by the time the film was ready for release, his father didn’t have a penny to keep for himself and was deep in debt.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The staff are attentive and put in a lot of effort, ready to share tips and favourite restaurants, and really go the extra mile to make your stay pleasant and memorable.
    — Julia Wytrazek, TheWeek, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of ready
Noun
  • The five-episode doc follows Five Guys’ global competition of crew members from local qualifying rounds to the ultimate championship.
    — Mya Copeland, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Economist Thomas Philippon calculates that weakened competition costs the typical household about $300 a month.
    — Christopher Marquis, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of competition
Noun
  • The new plans also include more changes to the project's lighting and traffic patterns.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Guardians manager Stephen Vogt could change plans and go with Foster Griffin on Saturday.
    — Joe Reedy, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of plan

Phrases Containing game

Browse Nearby Words

gambols
game
gamely
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Cite this Entry

“Game.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/game. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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